The Constitution

Question 1

Articles of Confederation

Answer 1

the first constitution of the 13 American states, adopted in 1781 and replaced in 1789 by the Constitution of the United States

Question 2

Declaration of Independence

Answer 2

the public act by which the Second Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, declared the Colonies to be free and independent of England

Question 3

Treason

Answer 3

the offense of acting to overthrow one’s government or to harm or kill its sovereign

Question 4

Checks and balances

Answer 4

limits imposed on all branches of a government by vesting in each branch the right to amend or void those acts of another that fall within its purview

Question 5

Separation of powers

Answer 5

the principle or system of vesting in separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government

Question 6

Great Compromise

Answer 6

an agreement made among the delegates to the Constitutional Convention that the American government would have two houses in Congress

Question 7

Tariff

Answer 7

an official list or table showing the duties or customs imposed by a government on imports or exports

Question 8

Repeal

Answer 8

to revoke or withdraw formally or officially

Question 9

Civil Discourse

Answer 9

a respectful conversation aimed at fostering understanding and constructive communication

Question 10

3/5th Comprimise

Answer 10

three out of every five slaves was counted when determining a state’s total population for legislative representation and taxation

Question 11

Constitution

Answer 11

a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed

Question 12

Preamble

Answer 12

a preliminary or preparatory statement; an introduction

Question 13

Bill of Rights

Answer 13

the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship

Question 14

Legislative Branch

Answer 14

they make all laws, declare war, regulate interstate and foreign commerce and control taxing and spending policies

Question 15

Executive Branch

Answer 15

they are responsible for enforcing the laws of the land. The following are executive branch organizations and agencies: Executive Office of the President (White House)

Question 16

Judicial Branch

Answer 16

they evaluate laws by: Interpreting the meaning of laws. Applying laws to individual cases. Deciding if laws violate the Constitution

Question 17

Congress

Answer 17

a national legislative body, especially that of the US. The US Congress, which meets at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., was established by the Constitution of 1787 and is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives

Question 18

Senate

Answer 18

the smaller upper assembly in the US Congress, most US states, France, and other countries

Question 19

House of Representatives

Answer 19

House of Representatives makes and passes federal laws. The House is one of Congress’s two chambers (the other is the U.S. Senate), and part of the federal government’s legislative branch

Question 20

Equal representation

Answer 20

Each group gets the same amount of representatives so each group is fairly made up

Question 21

Proportional representation

Answer 21

an electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them

Question 22

President

Answer 22

the elected head of a republic

Question 23

Supreme Court

Answer 23

the highest judicial court in a country or state

Question 24

Fugitive Slave Clause

Answer 24

gives enslavers the right to seize enslaved people who escaped to free states

Question 25

Ratify

Answer 25

sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid

Question 26

Amendment

Answer 26

an addition or alteration made to a constitution, statute, or legislative bill or resolution

Question 27

1st Amendment

Answer 27

Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise

Question 28

2nd Amendment

Answer 28

protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home

Question 29

4th Amendment

Answer 29

protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government

Question 30

5th Amendment

Answer 30

protects criminal defendants from having to testify if they may incriminate themselves through the testimony

Question 31

6th Amendment

Answer 31

guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you

Question 32

13th Amendment

Answer 32

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction

Question 33

14th Amendment

Answer 33

granted citizenship to all persons “born or naturalized in the United States

Question 34

15th Amendment

Answer 34

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude

Question 35

19th Amendment

Answer 35

granted women the right to vote